Pre-engineered building and method of assembling same

Abstract

A factory manufactured building assembled on site, comprising a load bearing structural frame with exterior wall units, floor units, and roof units supported thereon. The various units are assembled on the structural frame using a method that allows simultaneous assembly, or assembly in any desired order. The wall units are installed using devices which expand into the structural framework. The roof units are installed using devices which clamp onto the structural framework. The floor units rest on ledges formed in the framework and are secured thereto with clamp devices. All electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems are installed in the various floor, wall and roof units at the factory, and are connected together at the site.

I claim: 
     
       1. A pre-engineered building of the type having substantially all structural members, wall units, floor units, and roof units, including substantially all windows, door openings and mechanical appurtenances therein, completed simultaneously at the factory for coordinated installation at jobsite, the improvement comprising: two rows of ground supported perimeter column footings substantially equally spaced along opposing walls of a building with perimeter wall footings connecting the column footings, located within an excavated basement area or at ground level;   columns affixed to each column footing of a height terminating one story or higher above first floor level and rigid support means connecting the columns at each floor level and tops to form a grid pattern;   a poured concrete basement wall supported atop said perimeter wall footing, having a two-level upper end, the lower level being proximal the inside of the building;   one or more floor units, supported at each end atop the lower levels of the tops of opposing basement walls;   one or more roof units supported at each end atop opposing rigid support means;   means for clamping each end of said roof to said rigid support means therealong; and   one or more non-load bearing wall units having means for receiving a column affixed along one of its edges and means for expanding against the next adjacent column along its opposing edge, whereby said wall units may be secured between said columns.   
     
     
       2. The pre-engineered building of claim 1, further comprising: an additional row of column footings which is located between said rows of perimeter column footings, said additional row including a lateral perimeter column footing on each end and interior column footings therebetween, all column footings to be in a grid pattern;   columns affixed to each of said additional column footings of a height terminating a sufficient distance above said perimeter columns to provide a slope roof;   additional rigid support means for connecting said additional column at each floor level and tops into the grid pattern, whereby said additional rigid support means connecting additional column tops serve as ridge girders;   means connecting adjacent additional columns on either side thereof for forming a ledge, at a height equal to the lower level of the top of said basement wall, for supporting one end of each floor unit; and   additional floor units, roof units, roof unit clamping means, and wall units as needed.   
     
     
       3. The pre-engineered building of claim 1 wherein said non-load bearing wall units are further characterized as having means affixed along their top edges for expanding against the rigid support means connecting the two surrounding columns. 
     
     
       4. The pre-engineered building of claim 3, further comprising an inwardly projecting underlayment affixed to the bottom of said wall units and means for fastening said underlayment to said floor unit. 
     
     
       5. The pre-engineered building of claim 2 wherein the additional column ledge forming means includes an angle having one leg horizontal to serve as the ledge and further comprising a plurality of pivot clamps adjustably bolted along the bottom of the end of said floor unit which rests upon the ledge, whereby said clamps can be pivoted under the ledge and then tightened to secure said floor unit to the ledge. 
     
     
       6. The pre-engineered building of claim 1, wherein the roof clamping means is characterized as including a plurality of spaced threaded sleeves affixed along a centered line atop said rigid support means, an elongated rigid strap having an aperture for each of said sleeves which is coaxial therewith and a bolt cooperatively threaded with each of said sleeves, said bolts being positioned through said strap and tightly engaging an end of said roof unit atop said rigid support means. 
     
     
       7. The pre-engineered building of claim 2, wherein said roof unit clamping means is characterized as including an elongated perimeter plate affixed atop the rigid support means which connects perimeter columns, at an angle parallel to the slope of the roof units; a plurality of spaced apart threaded perimeter sleeves affixed atop said perimeter plate; an elongated rigid perimeter strap having an aperture for each of said perimeter sleeves which is coaxial therewith and a bolt cooperatively threaded with each of said sleeves, said bolts being positioned through said perimeter strap and tightly engaging the perimeter end of said roof unit atop said perimeter rigid support means; a canted at an angle ridge edge element, affixed along the ridge end of said roof unit, having an exposed surface which is vertical; a plurality of spaced apart threaded aligned ridge sleeves affixed atop said rigid support means which serves as a ridge girder; an elongated rigid ridge strap having an aperture for each of said ridge sleeves which is coaxial therewith; a bolt threaded to cooperate with each of said ridge sleeves, said bolts being positioned through said perimeter strap and engaging the tops of opposing roof units which rest on either side of said ridge girder. 
     
     
       8. The pre-engineered building of claim 7, wherein said roof unit is further characterized as extending beyond said perimeter plate to form an overhang and said clamping means is located within a temporary open space with said overhang adjacent to said perimeter plate. 
     
     
       9. The pre-engineered building of claim 1, further comprising one or more interior wall units which include an elongated means affixed to the upper surface of a floor unit for receiving the bottom edge of said interior wall unit; and means affixed along the upper edge of said interior wall unit for expanding against the underside of the roof or ceiling unit located overhead. 
     
     
       10. The pre-engineered building of claim 9, wherein said interior wall units are further characterized as having channel for receiving a stud affixed along one of its edges and means for affixing against the edge of another interior wall unit on its opposing edge comprising an angle with one leg affixed flush to said edge, the other leg projects outward to be affixed flush against the abutting end of other interior wall unit. 
     
     
       11. The pre-engineered building of claim 1 further comprising: special reusable concrete forms for slab or basement wall characterized by having factory coordinated attach points thereon to attach to perimeter columns with no measuring, leveling, bracing and plumbing required;   one or more independent building units may be quickly and easily removed and replaced in framework if damaged or if building is to be disassembled;   interior plumbing wall unit completed in the factory having all essential piping and connections sized and assembled therein having pre-determined locations with provisions for utility entrance, plumbing fixtures and roof vent;   electrical conduits and devices located and designated into each independent building unit by the overall electrical plan of building with wires leading to outer perimeter of building whereby a space is provided for connecting to circuit wiring.